CAPT Powers, a native of Silver Spring, MD, graduated from Drexel University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering, receiving his commission through the Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps of Philadelphia. He also holds a Master’s of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, a Master’s of Science in Foreign Affairs and National Security Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School at National Defense University, and a diploma in Modern Standard Arabic Language, Regional and Cultural studies from the Defense Language Institute.

His sea duty assignments included surface warfare direct support duty at Naval Security Group Activity, Pearl Harbor, HI, where he deployed to the Arabian Gulf aboard USS KITTYHAWK (CV 63), USS INGERSOLL (DD-990), and USS LEAHY (CG-16) in support of Operations DESERT STORM (Iraq) and RESTORE HOPE (Somalia), completing multiple Western Pacific and Middle-Eastern deployments. He later qualified as an airborne direct support officer at Naval Security Group Activity, Rota, Spain, where he logged over 1000 flight hours with Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Two (VQ-2) in support of Operations JOINT ENDEAVOR (Bosnia) and SHARP GUARD (Former Yugoslavia). He also served as Officer-in-Charge of Naval Aircrew Detachments in Souda Bay, Crete, Greece and Siganella, Sicily, Italy, and as a submarine direct support officer deploying aboard submarines in support of Commander, Submarine Forces Pacific. As a Lieutenant Commander, he served as the Cryptologic Resource Coordinator to Commander, Carrier Strike Group SEVEN embarked on USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) deployed to the Western Pacific assuming the role as Commander, Task Force 70.

His shore duty assignments included leading interactive on-net cyber operations at Naval Information Warfare Activity (NIWA), Suitland, MD for duty within the National Security Agency’s (NSA) Tailored Access Operations (TAO) and as a plank-owner of the Remote Operations Center (ROC). In the Pentagon, he served as the Navy’s Program Manager for all Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Combat Systems and Intelligence (C5I) programs for the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV 80). He returned to NSA for his joint duty assignment as the first military Director of Cybersecurity Operations within the NSA’s Threat Operations Center (NTOC) defending the Department of Defense’s information networks worldwide. Most recently, he served as the Senior Detailer for Information Warfare Officer global assignments (PERS 472) at Navy Personnel Command in Millington, TN.

CAPT Powers previously commanded Navy Information Operations Command, Whidbey Island, WA, providing Electronic Warfare (EW) direct support to Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM. In August 2013, he assumed command of Navy Cyber Defense Operations Command and Task Force 1020, which has included leading Navy’s cyber warriors to successfully defend Navy’s global networks during Operation ROLLING TIDE, the largest cyber defense operation in Naval history. His military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medals, Air Service Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medals, Navy Achievements Medals, and several campaign medals and unit awards.